logo

76 pages 2 hours read

Gary Paulsen

Brian's Winter

Gary PaulsenFiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1996

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Part 1, Chapters 1-3Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Fall”

Part 1, Chapter 1 Summary

As fall arrives in the north Canadian woods, Brian Robeson counts the days since the plane crash that left him stranded in the wilderness: 68. For months, he’s been living on his own, surviving in the woods. After the first two months, he found a survival pack in the plane wreckage, which made his situation easier in some ways, but harder in others. Although the tools and weapons were a godsend, the food rations “softened” him (6), making him miss the foods from his former life. When the rations ran out, Brian was relieved to finally shake his discontented hunger, and return to hunting for his food.

Now, as the summer flows into fall, Brian notices a change in the air. However, before he can register that cool weather coming, a problem with his rifle distracts him. The firing pin breaks beyond repair, so he must return to hunting with his bow and arrow, as he did before finding the survival pack. After practicing with the bow and arrow, he kills a rabbit and boils the meat to make a stew.

Brian stays busy each day with the tasks necessary for survival: gathering wood, checking his fishing lines, hunting, cleaning the meat, cooking the meat, and stretching the hide.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 76 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,450+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools